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Saturday, September 5, 2026

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TopicSugarcane

Topic: Sugarcane

20% ethanol, 80% anger: BJP’s core voter is furious and looking for answers

While ethanol-blended petrol may be a great idea, it needed 3-4 years of preparation. Now, we have a sugar shortage and surging prices with the festive season upon us. To top it off, we’re bleeding foreign exchange.

Ethanol or a supply crunch? What’s behind the sudden rush in India’s sugar prices

Retail prices crossed Rs 63 a kg amid lower production, festive demand & speculative buying. Some blamed govt’s E20 push, claiming it forced mills to divert sugarcane, causing sugar shortage.

Rice, maize, or sugarcane? India’s ethanol push triggers debate over agricultural concerns, subsidies

As grain-based ethanol leads the government's biofuel programme, questions are being raised over water use, foodgrain diversion and hidden subsidies.

‘Pathogen tolerance, better yield’ — Haryana scientist’s new sugarcane variety awaits release

New variety Co-17018 is likely to replace existing Co-0238 variety, which is becoming unsustainable because of its susceptibility to red rot and top borer diseases.

Cabinet raises sugarcane floor price to boost planting, help farmers get better returns

Sugar, a politically sensitive commodity, is heavily regulated by the government. The central government also fixes the quantity each mill can sell in the open market.

India increases the rate for state-run fuel retailers to buy sugarcane-based ethanol

The govt said the rise would boost supplies and help sugar companies to pay their dues to farmers. India also wants to double ethanol blending with gasoline.

Heavy rains spoil Indian sugar mills’ export plans, raw sugar faces global market pushback

Maharashtra and Karnataka, the country's biggest and the third-biggest sugar producing states, have had heavy rains pushing back harvests by a fortnight.

UP govt in ‘wilful disobedience’, farmers can’t wait years for sugarcane dues: Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has said the UP government has defied its 2017 order to fix interest for mills to pay farmers for late payment of dues.

India’s ethanol production can’t ride on surplus sugar and rice. Modi govt needs a way out

Any major diversion of corn usage towards ethanol production would severely impact India's poultry sector. Modi govt's target of E20 by 2025 needs 2G biofuels.

Why farmers from Lakhimpur Kheri are unable to sell produce to govt at fair prices

Paddy, wheat farmers from Lakhimpur Kheri noted they are often forced to sell their produce to commission agents as government officials cite various excuses to avoid buying their produce.

On Camera

Manusmriti is harsher on men than women. Read the text before you ask to burn it

Ever since that fateful day in 1927 when BR Ambedkar led the first public burning of Manusmriti, it has become a lightning rod for conservatives and liberals alike.

India’s key money market gets unusually quiet at the start of trade

Typically, a lot of transactions happen in the first hour as lenders borrow funds to meet regulatory requirements and cover short-term cash shortages.

Estonia’s defence minister quits after €70 mn Ukraine shell deal with Indian-owned Italian firm goes awry

Hanno Pevkur takes political responsibility after Estonia paid up to €70 million upfront to Datasel for artillery shells for Ukraine that the company never previously made or sold.

20% ethanol, 80% anger: BJP’s core voter is furious and looking for answers

While ethanol-blended petrol may be a great idea, it needed 3-4 years of preparation. Now, we have a sugar shortage and surging prices with the festive season upon us. To top it off, we’re bleeding foreign exchange.